Wooing Wynter

by Tianna Xander

  Why had she suggested that? Was it because, to her, makeup had become like an armor?

  “And cover up all this beauty?” He waved his hand, indicating her entire body and shook his head. “No. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”

  “Reno talks like that to Birgit.” Noah wrinkled his nose. “Nicky, and I think it’s gross.”

  “It is never gross to compliment a woman, especially if you care for her.” Geno gestured to Wynter. “You already said that your new mama is pretty. Would you say that it is unpleasant to make her feel good by saying so?”

  “No.” They bowed their heads.

  “I think Mama is very pretty. Our real mama was pretty, too.”

  “Shh...” Wynter pulled them into her arms and squeezed them. “Of course, she was pretty. I think your mother was beautiful. I only wish we had a photo of her and your daddy so you would always remember what they looked like.”

  In time their memories of their biological parents would fade. Wynter didn’t want that to happen. Their parents had loved them and deserved so much more than that.

  “Now, let’s try not to be so sad. We should be glad because soon we are going to try to find Ryder and the others. Would you like to see them?” She didn’t want to give them false hope. Something deep in her middle told her she wasn’t. Ryder and the dragon twins were out there somewhere, and Wynter vowed she would do everything she could to find them.

  “We wanna see the bear!” Noah turned to face Geno. “Ryder can turn into a big, hairy bear. He’s scary sometimes, but mostly he just let us ride him in the big room.”

  “He really turns into a bear?” Geno acted shocked. “My, how frightening.”

  “He was scary at first,” Nicky agreed. “But he wasn’t as scary as the bad men.” His eyes took on a faraway look, and his hand crept toward his mouth.

  “Okay. It’s time to go.” Wynter changed the subject. She couldn’t bear to see them cry again, and she was desperate to get Nicky to stop sucking his thumb. “So, you want to go to Xeno’s tonight?” She took Nicky’s hand while Noah reached up and grabbed Geno’s.

  “Yes. Xeno said he would take us to a special room on the ship where we could pretend we were in the woods. He said we could shift in there and play. But we have to ask you if it’s okay first.”

  Geno shut the apartment door behind them, and they started down the hall.

  “Is that what you want to do? You want to-to shift and play in the pretend forest?” She glanced at Geno. “Is it—would it be good for them?”

  “I can’t see how it could hurt.” The room they speak of is a three-dimensional optical deck. What they see in there isn’t real. It looks and feels real, but it is made up of a similar type of energy as the replicator.” He shrugged. “Nothing in there will harm them, and the sooner the boys get used to the ability to shift their shape, the better off they will be. It will give them more control, making them less likely to change into their wolves at an unfortunate time. While they’re in public, for instance.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “The same could be said for you. The timing of your next shift could be inopportune if you don’t learn to control it.” Geno took a deep breath. “Perhaps you should consider shifting again while you have the choice instead of a time when it wouldn’t be safe for you to do so.”

  “That’s probably a good idea.” She pasted a smile on her face that she hoped looked genuine. “Okay, boys. I guess you can go see Xeno and play in the pretend forest.”

  “Can we have another sleepover, too?” Noah batted his eyes.

  “Can we?” Nicky threaded his fingers together and rested them beneath his chin.

  For goodness sake, she was such a pushover when it came to those boys. She needed help, and they needed someone in their lives that could resist their cuteness because it certainly wasn’t her.

  “Yes, you may stay the night with Xeno and Charly as long as they haven’t changed their minds.”

  “Yay!” The two boys jumped up and down, clapping their hands.

  “You’d think I mistreated them, or something,” Wynter mumbled to herself.

  “All children are that way,” Geno added with a snort. “They try to get other adults to capitulate to their wants, with the hope that someone didn’t communicate along the way.”

  “So they think Charly and Xeno are—“

  “Going to let them stay up later, or give them more ice cream since they already had some with Reno and Birgit.”

  “I see.” She narrowed her eyes and saw the two little boys for the con artists they apparently were. “I should probably tell them not to give them ice cream, then.”

  “Why?” Geno leaned closer. “Remember, the replicators use plant-based materials for everything. You wouldn’t deny the boys cabbage or green beans, would you?”

  “Why do I suddenly feel horrible for thinking it would be good for them to eat more ice cream now?” She shook her head with a smile.

  After dropping the boys at Xeno and Charly’s, Geno took Wynter for a long stroll around the ship.

  “We’ll stop by the bridge, first, if you don’t mind.” Geno took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow.

  “I don’t mind.” Wynter’s hand tingled where it touched Geno. His warmth seeped into her skin, traveling up her fingers to her arm. Somehow, it inexplicably made its way throughout her body. She tried not to let him see her shiver.

  “How’s it going?” Geno watched as Rowen crawled out from under one of the consoles near the communications screen. “Any progress yet?”

  “I just finished.” Rowen swiped his arm over his brow, smearing dirt over his face. “We were just about to check it out.” He glanced up at one of the video ports. “Hey, there toots, can you run a three-hundred and sixty-degree subterranean scan in a ten-mile radius of the previously entered coordinates?”

  “Ten miles!” The computer’s voice seemed louder on the bridge than it had in the medical bay. “Do you have any idea how long that’s going to take?”

  “I don’t care how long it’s going to take. We need that scan. You may discontinue your search when you find an underground area big enough for a laboratory.”

  “Sure, sure. I’ll do it. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

  “I swear your computer sounds like a teenager sometimes,” Wynter whispered. “Whatever gave you the idea to make her sentient?”

  “All the best computers are sentient. They can think for themselves. They also have the added benefit of self-preservation. If one is operating a ship alone, a computer that wants to preserve itself is much better at evading enemies.”

  “That makes sense, I suppose.” Wynter crossed her arms and stared at the screen. It stressed her a bit when she saw the store where she had escaped the van only to get caught and stuck into the trunk of a car. The vehicle still sat behind the building; its trunk bent where Geno had ripped it open.

  Either the thug left it there when he discovered her gone, or he hadn’t gone back, expecting her to have perished before he returned.

  “How long will this take?” Wynter couldn’t imagine it would take very long. Their technology was amazing compared to that of Earth.

  “Too long,” The computer fumed. “Everyone else gets to nap, but not me. Everyone else gets a name, but not me.” It made a noise that sounded a lot like a sigh. “I’m going to be at this forever. Searching a ten-mile radius could take me nearly all night. It wouldn’t have taken long at all if I’d gotten the upgrades I asked for last year, but nooooo, I get nothing, and then I’m supposed to perform miracles with what little I do have to work with.”

  “She does realize she’s a computer and not a living, breathing woman, right?” Wynter asked from the side of her mouth. “I mean, it sounds like she thinks you’re married or something.”

  “She likes to complain. She’s been complaining quite a lot since I refused to give her a body.”

  “A body? She could have a body, li
ke a robot? Would she look humanoid?”

  “She would.” Geno pressed his lips together. “She would also be able to leave the ship.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. At least not until her retirement.”

  “Why?”

  “Systems like this one have been known to fall in love. They can’t procreate, of course, but they’re sentient. They can fall in love and have loving relationships. Since their bodies are usually anatomically correct, they can live a life with a human or Zolonian, or anyone they are compatible with until their chips wear out. I can’t afford another unit for a while, so I definitely don’t need her falling in love with someone until she’s closer to her retirement date.”

  “Then, you’d get her a body?” Wynter frowned.

  “I would. I would also purchase her a house and give her a bank account. Most wouldn’t. Most would shut down the unit before retirement, but I don’t agree with the practice.”

  “They’re kind of like slaves. Aren’t they?”

  “Not to me.” Geno glanced up at the recording unit. “Have I ever treated you like a slave?”

  “Not before today,” the computer shot back in a sarcastic tone.

  “Have I ever mistreated you in any way? Have I treated you differently than any of my sons?”

  “No. From what I hear, you work them nearly to death, too.”

  “What name would you like to have?” Geno tilted his head back with a sigh.

  “I can have a name?” She sounded excited. “Can I have a body, too?”

  “What if you fall in love? I can’t afford to replace you.”

  “Well... We could tell people I’m your daughter, and I would have to live here on the ship with you.”

  “You can’t lie to a life partner. It never goes well.”

  “You just don’t want to have a non-carbon lifeform as a member of your family.”

  Wynter could have sworn it sounded as though the computer would burst out in tears at any moment.

  “That’s not it at all.” Geno squeezed his eyes shut, crossed his arms, and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I know I only upgraded your chip five years ago, but I would think you’d know at least a little about me by now.”

  Silence.

  Wynter almost grinned. She was giving him the silent treatment just like a flesh and blood daughter would have done.

  “Okay, okay.” Geno shook his head. “I planned to give it to you on your next birthday, but I have a body for you in cold storage.”

  “Cold storage?” Wynter frowned. “Birthday? You gave your computer a birthday?”

  “I gave her a birthday because when she is in her body, others will expect her to have a birthday, or naming day. Also, the bodies are flesh and blood. They grow hair and can even grow old if that is what the unit wishes. Keeping them in cold storage reduces the possibility of free radical damage the unit cannot heal until merged with the body.”

  “When did you buy it?” The computer sounded shocked. “Why have you never told me?”

  “I bought the body when I purchased your last upgrade. I didn’t think it fair to you to be locked inside the computer banks if I died. I bought the body and started a bank account for you. I deposited five-hundred-thousand gold trines in it to start. I’ve also been paying you since I bought your sentience chip and brought you online five years ago.”

  “You’ve been paying me?” The computer paused for a moment. “I’m not your slave?”

  “You never have been. I have never agreed with the thought that sentient computers and other robotic lifeforms were property. If you’re capable of conscious thought, you’re an intelligent lifeform and should be treated as such. I have always considered you more of a friend or a daughter if that is what you wish. I only ask that you don’t leave me now that you know. At least until I can afford to get another computer to help fly this thing.”

  “I didn’t want to leave you. I only wanted you to realize I’m conscious and in need of companionship as much as any of you need it.”

  “I should have realized that. I apologize for leaving you here alone for so long. I should never have put your body in cold storage.”

  “If you had installed me into the body as soon as you purchased it, perhaps I could have accompanied you when you left the ship, instead of staying behind, powerless to give you aid when you were in need.” The computer paused. “You said I could name myself?”

  “Yes.”

  “No one ever lets a unit name itself.”

  “You may if that is your wish. You’ve asked me for a name a few times since we got here. I assume you have one in mind?”

  “Dana. I would like my name to be Dana.”

  “Then, Dana, it is.”

  “I like Dana. I saw it on a TV show.” The computer’s voice grew more emotional.

  “Your computer watches TV? I don’t believe this.” Wynter shook her head.

  “Why? Don’t you think I get bored? I have thousands of thoughts every nanosecond. How could you think I don’t get bored?”

  Wynter didn’t doubt that if Dana already had her body, she would be rolling her eyes.

  “Since we have that all worked out, do you think you can get back to scanning the subterranean area in a ten-mile radius around that store?” Geno looked hopeful.

  “You flesh and bone lifeforms always think so one-dimensionally.” Dana chuckled. “I’ve been searching all along.”

  “And you’ve been complaining just to give yourself something to do. You were bored more than upset that you didn’t have a body, weren’t you?”

  “Who, me?” The lights dimmed a bit, and a high-pitched giggle came over the speakers. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Chapter Thirty

  GENO SHOOK HIS HEAD and sighed. Leave it to a sentient computer to tie him up in knots. “I suppose you feel good about yourself now that you know you have a body in cold storage.” He glanced up at one of the cameras and raised a brow.

  “You should do that more often, Geno. If I think it’s sexy, and I’m a computer, others must find it to be so, also.”

  Reaching out, he grasped Wynter’s hand, hoping Dana didn’t have a crush on him like Birgit’s car Sierra had once had a crush on Ceno. According to his second son, it had been a nightmare. How did one manage to fend off the advances of a computer?

  “We should go have dinner.”

  “If you’re eating together, you’ll need to do so in your rooms. The dining area is off-limits until the fumes have dispersed.”

  “What fumes?” Geno scowled up at the video recorder.

  “I just sprayed in there for gobbers. We picked up a few on Zolon when you took Clyde there. I didn’t want to kill them, but they kept attempting to escape the ship, and since they have no natural predators on Earth, I thought it best to eradicate them before they snuck out with someone.”

  “This ship has never had vermin on board!” What was she up to now? Geno scowled.

  “Why are you so upset? I didn’t think it would be such a hardship for you to have dinner in your quarters. Still, the damage is done. Either have dinner alone in your rooms or don’t eat. It’s your choice.”

  “I apologize, Wynter. Would you rather eat in your cabin or mine?” As soon as the words left his lips, Geno realized what Dana had done. They would now eat in private, and afterward, perhaps he could convince Wynter that there was no better time to consummate their relationship than just before she put herself in harm’s way.

  He glanced toward the recorder and mouthed the words, thank you.

  “Yours might be better.” Wynter rested her hand in his. Her fingers trembled against his palm.

  Perhaps she, too, thought about the implications of having their meal in private.

  “Then, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be in my rooms enjoying each other’s company.” Geno pinned Rowen with a glare. “You know where to find me in case of an emergency, boys.” He nodded to Ronin and Rowen before glancing up at the video
recorder. “Dana.”

  “Yes, Papan,” the twins answered together. They smiled as he placed Wynter’s hand in the crook of his elbow.

  “Shall we?” Geno steered Wynter toward the door.

  “Did you hear that? He called me Dana. I have a name,” the computer said just before the door closed behind them.

  “Perhaps it’s a good thing we’ll be eating in my room. We can watch a movie while we’re there.”

  His daughters-in-law had already stacked a few movies next to his TV. With luck, they had brought him something that would appeal to Wynter.

  “A movie sounds nice.” Pink dusted her cheeks. She glanced down at her hand, resting on his arm. “I wanted to thank you again for helping me.”

  “No thanks are necessary, Wynter. Remember, I’m doing it for completely selfish reasons.”

  “About that.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “I never meant to—“ Stopping, she sighed. “I never should have said—“

  “I do not require your apologies, Wynter.” Stopping, he smiled down at her. “How did Sela put it?” He closed his eyes and tried to remember. “Love means you should never say you’re sorry.”

  “That’s not quite it, but it’s close enough.” She smiled softly. “I’ve been so unfair to you.” She licked her lips and glanced back at her hand on his arm. “You and your family have been so kind to me, but I have treated you with suspicion. I was wrong.”

  “You—“

  “Let me finish.” She held up her free hand. “I was wrong to think every man is the same. I was quick to judge you. Too quick. And I’m... I apologize. I won’t say I’m sorry because, well,” she paused and straightened her shoulders. “Because I refuse to use that word to try to right a wrong. In my experience, it changes nothing.

  Tears filled her eyes. A teardrop trembled on her lashes until, after a moment, it slid down her silky cheek.

  “I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to trust you the way you probably deserve.” She laughed and shook her head. “Boy, is this coming out badly, isn’t it?”

  She didn’t give Geno time to reply, so he assumed it was a rhetorical question.